Preventing Alcohol-Related Injuries (From Crime Prevention in Australia: Issues in Policy and Research, P 217-237, 1997, Pat O'Malley and Adam Sutton, eds. -- See NCJ-184267)

• NCJ Number: 184277
• Author(s): Ross Homel
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Federation Press (Distributed by Gaunt)
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper deals with the prevention of traffic accidents in Australia that are caused by drinking and driving and with the prevention of violence in and around licensed premises that sell alcohol.

Abstract

Alcohol-related offending is of particular interest from a prevention perspective for several reasons. The risk of serious injury can be greatly increased when drivers reach even moderate levels of intoxication. Further, criminological research over many years has highlighted the prominent role of alcohol in criminal offending, especially in violent offenses. The role of alcohol in traffic accidents and violence is examined, with emphasis on high-risk groups and targeted policies. Implications of research are discussed that indicate effective prevention requires carefully engineered changes to the social environment to reduce opportunities for offending and to minimize harm caused by recreational alcohol use. Associations between alcohol and traffic injuries in Australia and between alcohol and violence in licensed premises that sell alcohol are discussed, as well as random breath testing procedures. A project designed to encourage responsible alcohol beverage service is described. 69 references